Butler Bulldogs Basketball Details

Through scrappy play and smart coaching, the Butler Bulldogs have built a reputation as one of the best mid-major programs in college basketball. Though the team moved to the Big East from the Horizon Conference in 2013 and technically lost the “mid-major” title, the Bulldogs have continued their excellent play reaching the NCAA Tournament in four of the past five seasons. Butler has appeared in the NCAA Tournament 15 times overall and was the NCAA Tournament runner-up to Duke in 2010. Those who remember that tournament likely have a lasting image of Butler star Gordon Hayward’s last-second shot falling short in a 61-59 loss to top-seeded Duke. The Bulldogs finished the 2016-2017 season 12-6 in the conference, coming in second behind Villanova. Their overall record was 25-9, making it to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament before falling to UNC.

This season will be the first of the Lavall Jordan era for the Bulldogs, the team’s new head coach who previously served as an assistant at Butler, Michigan and Iowa. Jordan was a starting guard for Butler from 1998-2001, whose coaching career at Butler started in 2003. He will welcome a strong incoming class of new recruits joining the team for the 2017-2018 season, including point guard Aaron Thompson from Virginia, a four-star recruit who averaged 7.3 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.4 steals per game his senior year. Another new Bulldog this season will be Christian David, a three-star forward from Vermont. David averaged 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists per game his senior year and should be a strong addition to the team. Guards Cooper Neese and Campbell Donovan will also join the freshman class. With a new coach and some new talent, Butler will be a team to watch this season. The Butler Bulldogs play at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. One of their biggest rivals is Xavier, with Xavier winning their last matchup 62-59.